It is known as Dianthus praecox ssp. lumnitzeri in Slovakia and also as D. plumarius ssp. lumnitzeri and D. plumarius ssp. regis-stephani. There is some taxonomic disagreement if this is a species or a subspecies. But taxonomic studies are underway at the University of Heidelberg and the Corvinus University in Budapest.

It is widespread and stable, most of the populations are included in protected areas but it is still subject to a few threats. However, it is currently assessed as Data Deficient as the taxonomy of Dianthus lumnitzeri needs to be clarified.

This species is a pre-Carpathian subendemic and native to Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary. Total geographic range is 1,194 km² (Commission of the European Communities 2009). In Slovakia, 46 sites are recorded (Polák and Saxa 2005), 12 of them were selected for monitoring in five year intervals. The pure type is supposed to occur only at the locus classicus (Devin castle rock near Bratislava). There are about 20 microlocalities in the Malé Karpaty Mts.

In the Czech Republic, it is found at four sublocalities. In Austria, it occurs only in Hainburger Berge, where it is quite common. The information for Hungary is for D. plumarius ssp. regis-stephani, but there is no data for the subspecies lumnitzeri.

In Slovakia, the populations are stable at most places. According to Polák and Saxa (2005) most of the localities have hundreds of individuals, on only seven sites there are less than 50 individuals. In Czech Republic, there are less than 300 individuals with a stable trend. There are two localities where it was planted. In Hungary, it is found in five small regions but there is no actual data about this species. The populations have a stable trend in Austria.

This plant grows in tufts and usually occurs on rock-outcrop vegetation with Festuca pallens, narrow-leaved dry grasslands, Sesleria grasslands, shallow rock soils on limestone in hilly areas. It can be found in the following Habitats Directive listed habitats (Commission of the European Communities 2009):

There are a few threats affecting this plant. Small scale collection from the wild for horticultural use is minimising the number of individuals. Invasive species, closing of the tree canopy, high numbers of game species, and recreational activities impact this plant. Forestation with pine poses a threat at some sites. Natural succession in steppic grassland communities leads to increased competition.

Dianthus lumnitzeri is listed as priority species on Annex II of the Habitats Directive. In Slovakia and Austria, it is protected and classed as Vulnerable in the national red lists. It occurs in many nature reserves and four areas of European importance (89% of localities) in Slovakia and is also found in protected areas in Austria. Ex situ conservation is carried out by the University of Vienna. In the Czech Republic, it is listed as Endangered, is protected, and found in sites of community importance and protected areas. It is also strictly protected in Hungary, but classed as Data Deficient. All the Hungarian localities are in Natura 2000 sites and protected areas. Taxonomic research to determine its status of species or subspecies is underway.